Bigger, Stronger, Faster: Thurman Retains Title in Thriller

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Keith Thurman, Jr. defeated Robert Guerrero by unanimous decision (120-107, 118-109, 118-108), improving his record to 25-0, 21 KO. Guerrero falls to 32-3-1, 18 KO. However, the aura of the boogeyman is slowly unraveling for Thurman. Taken into perspective, Thurman was bigger, stronger, and faster than Guerrero who, it can be argued, does not have the frame of a legitimate welterweight. The scorecards reflect this advantage rather than a virtuoso performance. For Thurman finished the fight with the smaller Guerrero pursuing him as he languished on the ropes appearing completely exhausted.As was mentioned in the preview, Guerrero fought better on the inside than Thurman, but lacked the foot speed to close the distance without absorbing punishment. His limited footwork and lack of stature also prevented him from effectively circling right to avoid Thurman's right hand while landing his own jabs and right hooks from the outside. Thus Guerrero's physical disadvantages as a non-welterweight neutralized his offense, allowing Thurman to win a comfortable points decision without ever having to show that he was a superior technical boxer.There were two moments where Guerrero was on the verge of being stopped - toward the end of the sixth round where he took several straight right hands to the face and was visibly hurt, and in the ninth round where he was actually knocked down from a right hand to the head and body. Referee Kenny Bayless was going to stop the fight at the end of the ninth as Guerrero was defenseless against the ropes taking blows to the head from Thurman, but the bell rang before Thurman could land one more clean shot. Guerrero's bloody and bruised right eye, from a cut to his eyelid, showed the effects of Thurman's right hand throughout the fight.A theme is emerging for Thurman, however. It is now evident that he is not comfortable fighting on the inside, even against fighters who lack the power and physical strength of natural welterweights. When he is more evenly matched in power and strength, such as when he fought Diego Chaves, his fights will tend to be very competitive. If Guerrero had the proper physical dimensions, he could have outworked Thurman from the outside with his jab as Thurman was not exceptionally busy. When Thurman is forced to use lateral movement against a pressure fighter, his punch output drops significantly, which will make it difficult for him to win a decision against fighters who can effectively sustain pressure while maintaining a high punch output.Guerrero should consider moving down to junior welterweight or lightweight where he will have less physical disadvantages.